Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, did not return to the Senate on Tuesday, despite a Federal High Court ruling last Friday that overturned her six-month suspension.
While the court ordered her immediate reinstatement, it also mandated that she issue a public apology published in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days. As of Tuesday evening, the apology had yet to appear.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier assured her supporters via a viral video that she would resume legislative duties on Tuesday, celebrating the ruling as a validation of her mandate. However, her absence has fueled further speculation around the political standoff.
Senate leadership responded to the court decision by stating it would not act until the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment is received. In the meantime, security was significantly heightened at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
Traffic gridlocked up to the Federal Secretariat, and all vehicles were subjected to thorough checks a move authorities claimed was routine and unrelated to Natasha’s case.
Rumors spread that Akpoti-Uduaghan may have been privately advised to delay her return, following the circulation of a purported letter from the Senate’s legal counsel. Dated July 5, the letter claimed the judgment did not constitute an enforceable order and urged her legal team to hold off until the CTC was released.
However, Paul Daudu, the Senate’s legal representative, later discredited the letter. In a Facebook post, Daudu clarified.
“Please ignore the purported open letter to J.S. Okutepa (SAN) circulating online. It is unsigned, not from me, and misrepresents my law firm.”
Daudu, who described Okutepa Natasha’s lead counsel as a respected mentor, firmly denied authoring or endorsing any such warning.
Delivering judgment on July 5, Justice Binta Nyako declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension unconstitutional and excessive, stating it violated the rights of her constituents to representation.
She ordered her reinstatement and imposed a N5 million fine on the senator for contempt of court.
The contempt charge stemmed from a Facebook post mocking Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which the court said breached an earlier gag order.
While Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argued that the post was unrelated to the suspension case, the court disagreed.
The senator’s suspension, imposed in March 2025, followed a heated plenary session where she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The move sparked backlash from civil society and human rights groups, who saw it as an effort to silence her.
In a parallel development, the Senate has introduced a bill seeking to amend the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act, aiming to clarify suspension procedures and establish defined timeframes for disciplinary measures.
The bill, tagged SB. 708 and sponsored by Senator Shehu Kaka, had its first reading on Monday and is scheduled for further debate on Wednesday.
According to Kaka “these amendments will help specify the duration of sanctions and tighten disciplinary procedures.”
The existing law does not provide clear guidelines on the length or process of legislative suspensions, prompting calls for reform.
Meanwhile, insiders confirmed that the Certified True Copy of the court judgment is expected to be delivered to the Senate by Wednesday. Its arrival could mark a turning point in the standoff and determine when and if Akpoti-Uduaghan returns to the Red Chamber.
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